July 19, 2006

World Vision is gravely concerned with the deteriorating humanitarian situations in Gaza, Lebanon and northern Israel, particularly the condition of children.

World Vision condemns the use of armed violence, especially as directed against civilians, and urges all parties to declare an immediate ceasefire. It is the most vulnerable-children and other civilians-who experience the greatest suffering in these situations. Since June, no fewer than 20 children in Gaza have been killed, adding to the 121 Israeli and 734 Palestinian children killed since September 2000. In the recent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, several children have been killed on both sides, many more have been injured, and an untold number are living in fear. We mourn for all those killed and are deeply concerned with the lasting impact of this violence on the affected populations.

It is the responsibility of all parties to this conflict to protect the rights of children in conflict situations. Both Israel and Lebanon have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which stipulates that States Parties have an obligation under international humanitarian law to take all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict. In addition to the States Parties, non-state actors should be held accountable for actions or omissions that abrogate these rights.

World Vision programs benefit thousands of children in Gaza and Lebanon. Our staff members in both situations are doing their utmost to continue to serve these children, along with their families and communities, but humanitarian access has been severely limited.

In Gaza, where children are the majority of the population, our staff confirm reports from UNICEF and other international bodies that describe the severe psychological and physical stress children are experiencing. We are seriously concerned that the destruction of infrastructure and shortages of food could lead to outbreaks of water-borne and other diseases.

In Lebanon, the ongoing destruction of infrastructure and the targeting of civilian areas have caused great suffering. In both situations, the rights of children to food, clean water, health care and protection from violence are being abrogated.

We are equally concerned with the rights of Israeli children to protection, and with the physical and psychological impact of rocket attacks on children in northern Israel.

In response to the current crisis, World Vision is addressing the basic needs of children and families in Gaza with US$350,000 in medical and other humanitarian supplies. We are assessing the needs in Lebanon and will be responding in a similar fashion.

World Vision commends the diplomatic efforts of the UN and other regional bodies, but we urge other key international players, especially members of the "Quartet" (United States, United Nations, European Union, Russia) to more vigorously engage in efforts to win a ceasefire. It is not enough to call for restraint. Key actors must put urgent and unrelenting pressure on all sides to end the violence, especially attacks against civilian targets. And once a ceasefire is secured, efforts must continue to address the causal factors in these conflicts.

For the sake of all children in the region:

• We appeal to all parties to the conflict to cease all hostilities and negotiate an end to the current crisis;
• We appeal to all parties to respect and protect the rights of children, as per their obligations;
• We appeal to Israel, as per its obligations under International Humanitarian Law, to immediately allow unrestricted humanitarian access to civilian populations in Gaza;
• We appeal to the international community, especially the Quartet, to urgently take up its responsibilities to bring all sides to the negotiation table in order to resolve outstanding differences peacefully and comprehensively based on international law;
• We appeal to religious communities in the region and internationally to fully assume their responsibility and role in reducing tensions and in articulating and working toward a future where all of God's children in the region treat each other with mutual respect and recognize the humanity, rights and needs of all.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision has worked in Palestine, Israel and Lebanon since 1975.